The 5th Assembly of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) in Madrid, Spain, was a deeply enriching and transformative experience for me, both personally and pastorally. As a Catholic priest and an ally accompanying gender and sexual minorities in India, I have been for quite sometime engaged in reflecting on the realities of LGBTQ+ persons and their place within society and the Church. My pastoral concerns have consistently centered on spiritual accompaniment, inclusion, and the affirmation of human dignity. From this perspective, the Assembly became for me not only an international gathering but also a school of listening, solidarity, and shared faith.
What struck me most profoundly was the strength of the participants’ Catholic faith. Despite facing exclusion and misunderstanding in various contexts, their enthusiasm for prayer and liturgy was inspiring. Each day, they gathered with devotion for morning and evening prayers, and their participation in the Eucharist was filled with deep reverence and joy. It was moving to witness their desire not simply to remain on the margins but to belong fully to the Church, the visible Body of Christ. Their faith is not one of resignation but of hope—a living testimony to the universal character of Catholic faith.
Another impression that remains with me is the spirit of solidarity present among them. Coming from diverse countries and cultural contexts, they were united by their Christian faith and by their longing to walk together as disciples. Their mutual support, encouragement, and shared witness to God’s love revealed the beauty of a truly synodal journey. They long for acceptance, pastoral care, and the assurance that they, too, are cherished members of Christ’s Church.
For me, the Assembly was a concrete experience of synodality—of listening, discerning, and walking together as one pilgrim people. It reinforced my conviction that the Church must take seriously the real concerns of LGBTQ+ persons, entering into genuine dialogue and accompaniment. Pope Francis often spoke of “la Chiesa in uscita,” a Church that goes forth. I dream of such a Church—open, inclusive, and missionary, ready to embrace and journey with all God’s children.
The GNRC Assembly was, in essence, an experience of witnessing Catholic faith lived out in community. It has encouraged me to continue walking with this community of faith and to contribute, in whatever small way I can, to building a Church of welcome, compassion, and hope.